Postdoctoral Researcher, The Fagerholm Group

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI, Finland

Updated: 3 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 07 Sep 2023

29 Aug 2023
Job Information
Organisation/Company

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
Research Field

Biological sciences
Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Established Researcher (R3)
Country

Finland
Application Deadline

7 Sep 2023 - 00:00 (UTC)
Type of Contract

Other
Job Status

Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Fagerholm group at the Molecular and Integrative Bioscience (MIBS) Research programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki is seeking to recruit a

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

The position is available from 1st October 2023 for a minimum of 2 years with a possibility of extension. The postdoc will participate in an Academy of Finland -funded project which investigates integrin-regulated dendritic cell programming, immunodeficiency disease and inflammation.

The Fagerholm group consists of Immunologists and Biochemists working together to understand the molecular mechanisms which regulate immune cell trafficking and function in vivo. We are especially interested in the role of integrins in immune system regulation and in immune-system related diseases such as immunodeficiency and cancer. We use a wide range of techniques such as mouse models, tumor models, in vivo immune cell migration and other functional assays, flow cytometry, cell biology, imaging and next generation sequencing techniques to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of immune cell function. We are part of the vibrant MIBS community, which investigates a variety of research questions related to molecular and mechanistic principles of life, ranging from virology and structural biology, to immunology, metabolism, stem cell biology and neurosciences.

This project will investigate the role of dendritic cell (DC)-tissue interactions and integrin-mediated mechanotransduction in regulating DC-mediated immune responses and inflammation in vivo. It will utilize sophisticated integrin mouse models, combined with multiomics approaches, to investigate the role of beta2-integrin-mediated mechanotransduction in regulating classical DC programming on the single cell level. This position requires a deep interest and/or experience in immunology, single cell sequencing approaches and multiomics, and/or bioinformatics. Especially experience in single cell sequencing approaches and analysis is seen as an advantage, and candidates with such skills are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Applicants should possess a PhD degree in a relevant field (or be about to graduate) and an excellent academic record. They should have a strong understanding of basic principles of in vivo immunology and/or single cell sequencing/bioinformatics, and have the ability to work productively both independently and as part of a team. The duties include a small amount of teaching and supervising students.

The salary of the successful candidate will be based on level 5 of the demands level chart for teaching and research personnel in the salary system of Finnish universities. In addition, the appointee will be paid a salary component based on personal performance. The starting salary will be ca. 3300–3700 euros/month, depending on the appointee’s qualifications and experience. A six-month trial period will be applied.

Finland is one of the most livable countries, with a high quality of life, safety and excellent education system. The successful candidate will receive the benefits provided by the University of Helsinki to university employees, including occupational health care services, and obtain access to high-quality public affordable childcare services and schools.

HOW TO APPLY

Application should include the following documents as a single pdf file:

  • a motivation letter
  • a CV and
  • the names and contact details of 2 referees.

Deadline for application is 7 September (at 23.59 EEST) but review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

External applicants, please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the Apply Now button.

Applicants who have a helsinki.fi username and a valid employment contract, a grant researcher's contract or a visiting researcher's contract at the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application by using the Employee Login button.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants from a variety of genders, linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

More information:

  • Informal enquiries about the position should be sent to susanna.fagerholm@helsinki.fi

For an outline of the group’s research: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/integrins-in-immunity

  • Recruitment system: HR Specialist Mirkka Juntunen, mirkka.juntunent@helsinki.fi
  • Viikki Campus: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/campuses/viikki-campus
  • Support for international staff: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers/welcome  and https://ihhelsinki.fi  (International House Helsinki)

Recent publications from the lab include:

  • McDonald C, Morrison V, McGloin D and Fagerholm SC. 2022. Examining the effect of kindlin-3 binding site mutation on LFA-1-ICAM-1 bonds by force measuring optical tweezers. Front Immunol. 12: 792813
  • Guenther C, Faisal I, Fusciello M, Sokolova M, Ilander M, Harjunpää H, Tallberg R, Vartiainen M, Gonzalez-Granado J-M, Alon R, Cerullo V, Fagerholm SC. 2021. β2-integrin adhesion regulate dendritic cell epigenetic and transcriptional landscapes to restrict dendritic cell maturation and tumour rejection. Cancer Immunol Res. 9:1354–69
  • Guenther C, Faisal I, Uotila LM, Asens ML, Harjunpää H, Savinko T, Öhman T, Yao S, Moser M, Morris SW, Tojkander S, Fagerholm SC. 2019. A β2-Integrin/MRTF-A/SRF Pathway Regulates Dendritic Cell Gene Expression, Adhesion, and Traction Force Generation. Front Immunol. 10:1138.
  • Savinko T, Guenther C, Uotila LM, Llort Asens M, Yao S, Tojkander S, Fagerholm SC. 2018. Filamin A Is Required for Optimal T Cell Integrin-Mediated Force Transmission, Flow Adhesion, and T Cell Trafficking. J Immunol 200:3109-3116. 
  • Savinko T, Morrison V, Uotila L, Wolff H, Alenius H, Fagerholm SC. 2015. Functional beta2-integrins restrict skin inflammation in vivo, J Invest Dermatol.135(9):2249-57 .
  • Morrison VL, James MJ, Grzes K, Cook P, Glass DG, Savinko T, Lek HS, Gawden-Bone C, Watts C, Millington OR, MacDonald AS, Fagerholm SC. 2014. Loss of beta2-integrin-mediated cytoskeletal linkage reprograms dendritic cells to a mature migratory phenotype. Nat Commun. 5: 5359.

    • Requirements
    Additional Information
    Work Location(s)
    Number of offers available
    1
    Company/Institute
    UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
    Country
    Finland
    City
    Helsinki, Finland

    Where to apply
    Website

    https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/350275/postdoctoral-resear…

    Contact
    City

    Helsinki, Finland

    STATUS: EXPIRED
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